Bestival – The Future Is Now

August 19, 2016

Image: Stevie Gedge

[Bryony Wharfe | Contributing Writer]

I remember thinking once the fireworks were high in the sky and rain was pouring down my face that these were the best four days of my life. Just 11 months later and I’m not too far away from Bestival 2016, adding another amazing four days to my list.

Image: Bryony Wharfe

Last year, between 10th-13th September, I was at the Robin Hill Country Park in the Isle of Wight. The sun was shining high and everyone was wearing flower headbands (way before Snapchat took the flower headband title) ready for the “Summer of Love” theme. All the youngsters had gone back to school or college, so now it was time for the adults to have some summer fun.

Image: Bestival

Bestival is one of the most colourful and expressive festivals you will ever go to, and not only is it a haven for great musicians, it’s also an abode for spoken word sessions, group hip-hop yoga huddles, and gatherings of vultures to llamas, you can even sip some green tea in a hot tub.

Image: Bryony Wharfe

Every year, they try to beat a world record; in 2014, they set out for the biggest disco ball ever, in 2015 they went for the biggest mass busking ever, and this year they’ve made the biggest bouncy castle ever. I mean, who doesn’t want to jump on the biggest bouncy castle in the world?

Image: Stevie Gedge

From The Chemical Brothers to Duran Duran, and Action Bronson to Jamie XX, the atmosphere for the each musician was vivid and passionate as they got on the stage and belted out countless classics, delirious dance tracks, and beautiful ballads. On the last day, as it poured down with rain – the only true British way to finish a festival off – The Jacksons and Missy Elliott still managed to capture the audience’s hearts and ended the weekend with our spirits all boogied out and our freak left on for those Monday blues.

Image: Stevie Gedge

The year 2016 brings Major Lazer, Wiz Khalifa, Sean Paul, Years & Years, and my personal favourites, Oh Wonder. They’ve gotten rid of their Port Stage (a huge boat) and replaced it with The Spaceport (a huge spaceship), fitting perfectly with their “The Future” theme for this year. Other areas and stages include the Bollywood tent (where Craig David lit up our childhoods), the Ambient Forest, Temple Island and the Stardust Field. This year is proving to be the best yet, and I can’t wait to put on my robot costume and bounce in the laser-loaded, electrifying, beautiful nirvana that is Bestival. As the website puts it, “it will be a wonderland of dusk till dawn Spaceport raving, psychedelic adventuring, Slow Motion revitalisation and Mexican wrestling at the greatest party the future has ever seen”.